Human milk is an important part of a baby’s health, growth, and development. Mosaic Life Care partners with The Milk Bank to help families access safe, pasteurized donor human milk when it is needed. This partnership supports parents’ feeding goals, whether donor milk is needed during a hospital stay after delivery, following discharge, or for families who wish to donate their extra milk to help babies in our community.
Support for Your Feeding Goals
Every family’s feeding journey is different. Whether you are making a feeding plan before delivery, or currently breastfeeding, pumping, supplementing, our care team is here to help you understand your options and feel supported along the way. Here are some things you may consider while thinking about your feeding goals and plans:
- Talk with your birthing team about your feeding goals before your baby arrives.
- Ask who can help share your feeding plan if you are unable to speak for yourself.
- Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and donor milk.
- Know who to call if feeding challenges come up after delivery.
Pasteurized Donor Human Milk (PDHM)
When a mother’s own milk is not available or more support is needed, pasteurized donor human milk can offer safe nutrition and peace of mind. PDHM may be used for premature or medically fragile infants, babies with feeding challenges, formula intolerance, growth concerns, adoption or foster placements, or as a bridge while a family works toward breastfeeding goals.
Donor milk from The Milk Bank is carefully screened, pasteurized and tested before it is provided to Milk Express sites, hospitals, or outpatient families.
Milk Express: Local Access to Donor Milk
A Milk Express site gives families a convenient, community-based place to pick up orders of PDHM purchased through The Milk Bank. Families place their order securely through The Milk Bank, then bring proof of purchase to the Milk Express site to pick up their milk. Those who are interested in utilizing The Milk Express can learn more here. There is a Medical Relief Fund application process available for those who may need financial assistance with obtaining PDHM. See below for more information.
Milk Depot: Donating Extra Milk
If you have more milk than your baby needs, you may be able to make a life-changing difference for babies in need by becoming a milk donor. Once approved, donors can drop off frozen breastmilk at a Milk Depot, where it is safely stored and shipped to The Milk Bank for processing. Those that are interested in donating their milk can apply here.
The donor application process includes a health history, a conversation with The Milk Bank’s donor support team, and blood testing completed at The Milk Bank’s expense. Once approved, donors receive a donor ID number and instructions for shipping or dropping milk off.
Outpatient Donor Milk for Babies at Home
The Milk Bank’s Outpatient Program provides safe, gentle nutrition for infants at home. Families may use PDHM for many reasons, including poor weight gain, failure to thrive, severe digestive issues, formula intolerance, a medical diagnosis that requires human milk, or as a bridge while breastfeeding or milk supply is being established.
PDHM may also be an option when a parent is ill, absent or has experienced a loss, or for adoptive and foster families who want human milk as part of their baby’s feeding plan.
How Families Can Order PDHM
Families can complete The Milk Bank’s Outpatient Intake Form online or call (317) 536-1670 to talk with an Outpatient Specialist. If the need is urgent, families should call (317) 536-1670.
After completing the intake process, families pay a processing fee and choose a Milk Express pickup site or direct shipping. Most families receive orders in under 24 hours.
Medical Relief Fund
No family should have to choose between ability to pay and medical treatment for their infant. If a baby has a medical need for pasteurized donor human milk at home and the family qualifies for financial assistance, The Milk Bank’s Medical Relief Fund may help with the processing fee.
To qualify, the infant must have a medical need and the baby’s healthcare provider must complete a Medical Need Verification form. An Outpatient Specialist can help walk families through the process.
Families may be eligible for 100% assistance if they receive SNAP or TANF, or if their income is below 130% of the poverty line. Families may be eligible for 50% assistance if their income is 131% to 185% of the poverty line. Special circumstances, such as job loss related to an infant’s health needs or extreme medical debt, may also be considered.
The Medical Relief Fund is available for families in The Milk Bank’s priority service area, including Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky. Check your eligibility.
Billing and Insurance Support
The Milk Bank may be able to provide billing assistance with TriCare or Hoosier Medicaid. They can also provide documentation to help families self-submit claims when needed.
Lactation Support After Loss
Families who experience pregnancy, perinatal, or infant loss deserve compassionate support and clear information. Lactation can begin after a loss, and parents may need help understanding their options for comfort, milk expression, donation, or suppression. There is no right or wrong way to feel or grieve.
The Milk Bank offers bereavement lactation resources, education, wellness support, pump loaner options, milk donation support, and memorial opportunities for families navigating loss. Learn more about the bereavement program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is donor milk safe?
Yes. Donors are screened, and donated milk is pasteurized and tested before it is distributed. Learn more about donor milk safety.
Who can use donor milk?
PDHM may be recommended for premature or medically fragile infants, babies with feeding concerns, families using adoption or foster care, or families who need short-term supplementation support. At Mosaic this can be through inpatient use (while baby is admitted to the hospital) or on an outpatient basis through The Milk Express.
How do I become a milk donor?
Start with The Milk Bank’s online donor screening process. The process includes a health history, donor support interview, and blood testing. Those that are interested in donating their milk can apply here.
What if I am grieving a loss?
You have choices. A lactation professional can help you understand what may happen physically and talk through options for comfort, expression, donation, or suppression. Learn more about the bereavement program.
Get Started
To learn more about donor milk, milk donation or lactation support, talk with our Mosaic Life Care lactation team by calling (816) 271-7984 or visit TheMilkBank.org. Families who are interested in utilizing The Milk Express can complete the outpatient intake form here. or call (317) 536-1670.
